Journalism student secures dream job

A University of Salford journalism student has beaten over 900 applicants to secure a place on ITV’s News Traineeship scheme for 2016/17.

Mother of one and soon-to-be graduate, Teresa McMahon, 38, from Salford, starts the nine-month programme in early October and will be based at ITV Granada. Granada neighbours the University’s campus at MediaCityUK– the building where Teresa first began her journey into the world of journalism.

During her time at Granada, Teresa will benefit from working alongside some of ITV’s finest multi-platform TV and online journalists, as they help develop the skills she has acquired at University. Teresa will also be provided with additional classroom based learning as ITV look to ensure she has the foundations for an excellent career in broadcast news.

With a high percentage of graduates from the programme going on to secure permanent roles within ITV, Teresa hopes to follow in the footsteps of Sam Holder, Caron Bell and Ruje Yasmin, who have all taken a similar path in their careers.

Teresa said she was always confident that she would be offered the position at ITV because of the impressive CV she had developed during her degree. The University of Salford prides itself on being able to provide real world experiences and better prepare its students for life and as a result of this, Teresa has already worked for the likes of Channel 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and The Manchester Evening News.

“I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to work with the team at ITV Granada,” said Teresa, following her appointment.

“It was a very competitive process though, with over 900 applications, but I knew I could do it.

“I wouldn’t be in this position today however, if it hadn’t been for the help I received at the University. My lecturers, Debbie Manley and Sarah Hadwin in particular, have been inspirational and incredibly supportive during my time there and for that I will be forever grateful.”

Broadcasting the news to millions of people was just a dream for single-mum Teresa only a few years ago. That was before, at the age of 33, Teresa decided to make something positive of her life which daughter Catherine, 10, could aspire to.

Having taken an access course in humanities at Salford City College, Teresa later went onto enrol as a mature student at the University, where she is now expected to graduate with a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism in Multimedia.

Striking a balance between being a student and a parent has been hard for Teresa, but the aspiring journalist said that ‘it was all worth it in the end’.

“It has been pretty tough at times, especially as a single mum. The course is designed to make you act like a real journalist, so there were times where I’ve literally had to take my daughter to my places of work or on a report, whilst carting round a tripod and a camera on the bus, to some obscure place, just so I could get some good experience.

“I’ve loved every minute of it though, and now I’m in a position where I’m being paid good money for my work and I can also afford a car!”

Teresa, who submitted her final assignment last week to complete her three year degree, was recently recognised by her tutors at the University’s journalism awards of which she won the ‘Best Third Year’ category.

Director of Journalism at the University of Salford, Paul Broster, who taught Teresa, added: “We are all proud of Teresa’s tremendous achievement – she has beaten off incredible competition for this prestigious trainee scheme because of her determination, talent and desire to take all the extra opportunities that are offered to Salford students through our industry links and connections.

“We are proud that our students are prepared for life and the workplace as part of their studies and Teresa is a shining example of this.”

Be sure to keep any eye out for Teresa in the coming months.